New York Yankees: Will Judge be ready to contribute come playoffs time?

New York Yankees, Aaron Judge
Oct 19, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after striking out in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros in game six of the 2019 ALCS playoff baseball series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

As our William Parlee wrote here, the New York Yankees placed outfielder Aaron Judge back on the 10-day injured list as he re-aggravated his calf strain. Manager Aaron Boone provided the information on Thursday.

That is indeed bad news for a Yankees’ offense that is already missing Gleyber Torres, Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu, although there is a possibility that the latter returns this weekend from a thumb sprain.

Judge was tearing the cover off the ball before the calf started to give him problems in mid-August. In 18 games and 71 plate appearances, he is slashing .292/.343/.738 with a .442 wOBA and a 184 wRC+. He has nine home runs, 16 runs and 20 RBI.

New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman said that the team will “probably have to give him twice as long as the first time”, according to The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler.

He became injured again on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves. Per Boone, he suffered the re-aggravation while trying to break up a double play in the fourth frame, but stayed in the game.

Will the Yankees enjoy a healthy Judge in October?

Given that he already spent 11 days on the IL during his first stint, he is looking at at least three weeks on the shelf this time around. That will put him in line for a late-September return, which isn’t an ideal situation.

The legitimate question is: will Aaron Judge be able to help the New York Yankees in the playoffs? He would need some time to get his swing and rhythm back, no doubt. If the best-case scenario presents itself, he could have 7-10 days to regain his timing before the postseason starts. Will that be enough?

The Yankees need to make sure he is fully recovered and can run at 100% effort with no fear of re-aggravation. And that could take some time.

As Yankees’ fans, let’s hope for the best, and cross our fingers.